REV. JOHN A. SEDLAK Pastor/Trust Administrator

jsedlak@dioceseofgreensburg.org

Mass Schedule Weekday & Sat. Morning: 8:00 am Saturday Vigil: 5:00 pm Sunday: 9:00 & 11:00 am Holy Days: As Announced

Sacrament of Reconciliation Weekday & Sat. Morning: 7:30-7:50 am Saturday Vigil: 4:00-4:45 pm Sunday: 8:30-8:45 am & 10:30-10:45 am

(30 minutes before all other Masses)

Office Hours Monday-Thursday: 8:15 am - 3:45 pm

Mailing Address PO Box 187 4263 Route 981 United PA 15689

Website www.saintflorian.org

Phone Numbers Parish Office/Rectory: 724-423-4431 FAX: 724-423-4438 Pastoral Emergencies: 412-582-0425 Catechesis, Faith Formation & Evangelization (CFFE) Office: 724-423-5087 Preschool: 724-423-4437 Social Hall: 724-423-9008 St. Vincent de Paul Helpline: 724-205-4406

Staff CFFE Director: Dr. Joseph Dreliszak Preschool Director: Lottie Hirak Preschool Aides: Mandy Kelly Diane Kauffman Music Director: Steven Makar Parish Secretary and Bookkeeper: Angela Reese

Pastoral Council Terry Foriska Tammy Sofranko* Mike Reese Nicole Stull Don Scekeres Dave Shimko *Recorder

Finance Council John Boggess Kathy Sobinsky Stephanie Soflak Jerry Yasher David Lazor* Emily Uhrin Mark D’Amico *Chair

TWENTY-FIFTH SUNDAY IN ORDINARY TIME September 20, 2020

PARISH MISSION STATEMENT Our mission is to build up the Kingdom of God by offering ourselves

with Jesus for the true good of every person.

EUCHARISTIC SELF-OFFERING PRAYER I am all Yours, O most loving Jesus, through Mary, Your Mother.

MASS INTENTIONS (Request Form on back of bulletin)

Sat., Sept. 19 8:00 AM 5:00 PM Sun., Sept. 20 9:00 AM 11:00 AM Mon., Sept. 21 8:00 AM Tue., Sept. 22 8:00 AM Wed., Sept. 23 8:00 AM Thu., Sept. 24 8:00 AM Fri., Sept. 25 8:00 AM Sat., Sept. 26 8:00 AM 5:00 PM Sun., Sept. 27 9:00 AM 11:00 AM

Weekday +Charles, Helen and James Rylander by Family +Betty Takitch by Anna Mary Somers Twenty Fifth Sunday in Ordinary Time +Tracy and Tomechko Families by Tracy Family For the Parishioners St. Matthew +George Sr. & Bob Lawrence by Family Weekday +Marge Wierzbowski by Louise Brehun St. Pius of Pietrecina Living and Deceased Members of the Catholic Daughters of America Weekday +Joan C. Zuricane by Family Weekday +Catherine Pennington by Jane Crosby Weekday +Edward Cibulas by Mary Goswick, Lynne Griffith and Family +Joe and Betty Tirdil by Sons, Lori Kapura and Natalie Meloki Twenty Sixth Sunday in Ordinary Time For the Parishioners +For the Intentions of the St. Vincent de Paul Society

Page 2 September 20, 2020

ST. FLORIAN OFFERTORY STEWARDSHIP:

September 5-6: Adults: $5790.00; Loose: $139.00; Par ish Endowment: $93.00 Candles: $104.00; Catholic Accent: $15.00; Assumption: $25.00; St. Vincent de Paul: $444.00. TOTAL: $6,610.00. September 12-13: Adults: $3914.00; Loose: $132.00; Parish Endowment: $35.00 Candles: $124.00; Assumption: $5.00; St. Vincent de Paul: $50.00; Good Friday, Holy Land: $131.00. TOTAL: $4,391.00.

God Bless you!

Bulletin Deadline: submissions for the bulletin are due by Monday at 9 am to: areese@dioceseofgreensburg.org.

Readings for the week of September 20, 2020 Sunday: Is 55:6-9/Ps 145:2-3, 8-9, 17-18 [18a]/Phil 1:20c-24, 27a/Mt 20:1-16a Monday: Eph 4:1-7, 11-13/Ps 19:2-3, 4-5 [5]/Mt 9:9-13 Tuesday: Prv 21:1-6, 10-13/Ps 119:1, 27, 30, 34. 35, 44 [35]/Lk 8:19-21 Wednesday: Prv 30:5-9/Ps 119:29, 72, 89, 101, 104, 163 [105]/Lk 9:1-6 Thursday: Eccl 1:2-11/Ps 90:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 14 and 17bc [1]/Lk 9:7-9 Friday: Eccl 3:1-11/Ps 144:1b and 2abc, 3-4 [1]/Lk 9:18-22 Saturday: Eccl 11:9—12:8/Ps 90:3-4, 5-6, 12-13, 14 and 17 [1]/Lk 9:43b-45 Next Sunday: Ez 18:25-28/Ps 25:4-5, 6-7, 8-9 [6a]/Phil 2:1-11 or 2:1-5/Mt 21:28-32 ©Liturgical Publications Inc.

Sanctuary Light In Memory of George Trout

By: Wife, Ginny Trout

MINISTRY SCHEDULE

Saturday, September 19, 2020~ 5:00 PM Lector .................................................................... J. Lawrence Eucharistic Ministers .......................... T. Jackson, R. Mizikar Altar Server ........................................................... T. Jackson

Sunday, September 20, 2020 ~ 9:00 AM Lector ....................................................................... M. Sopko Eucharistic Ministers ............................... J. Lesko, J. Mizikar Altar Server ............................................................. J. Mizikar

Sunday, September 20, 2020 ~ 11:00 AM Lector ................................................................... M. D’Amico Eucharistic Ministers ..................................... B. & R. Obusek Altar Server ............................................................... D. Reese

Saturday, September 26, 2020 ~ 5:00 PM Lector .................................................................... J. Lawrence Eucharistic Ministers .............................. C. Kelly, D. Mizikar Altar Server ............................................................ D. Mizikar

Sunday, September 27, 2020 ~ 9:00 AM Lector ...................................................................... B. Mizikar Eucharistic Ministers ....................... H. Szewczyk, T. Jackson Altar Server ........................................................... T. Jackson

Sunday, September 27, 2020 ~ 11:00 AM Lector ......................................................................... A. Reese Eucharistic Ministers ....................... W. Bossart, C. Gricheck Altar Server ............................................................. M. Reese

Second Collections

Seminarian and Clergy Formation Collection September 26-27, 2020

Next weekend is the Seminarian and Clergy Formation Collection throughout the Diocese of Greensburg. Please prayerfully consider making a financial gift in support of our Seminarians, our men who are preparing for the Permanent Diaconate, for the ongoing formation of our clergy and for our International Priests serving throughout the Diocese of Greensburg. Please respond using the tear-off portion of the letter that was mailed to you, by using the special collection envelope in your envelope set from the parish, or online at www.dioceseofgreensburg.org. We ask you to accompany the seminarians and clergy of our diocese by your prayerful support.

Parish Office Hours Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday

8:15 am to 3: 45 (Angela)

Thursday

9:00 am to 2:00 pm (Dr. Dreliszak)

St. Stanislaus Cemetery Statues Take a look at the Statues in St. Stanislaus Cemetery. Recently a private donor to had several statues cleaned. The Statue of St. Stanislaus, the Crucifx and the three statues adjoining the crucifix were all professional cleaned. Thank you to our generous donor!

St. Florian Preschool

We are honored to continue our Preschool program for our 3 & 4 year old children. Many thanks to Mrs. Lottie Hirak for all her hard work through-out the summer months in order to prepare for the start of the new school year.

We also want to thank Mrs. Karen Dlugos for her 28 years of dedicated service as our preschool aide. We wish her well in her retirement years. Thank you…you will be missed! We welcome Mrs. Mandy Kelly and Mrs. Diane Kauffman as our new aides to help with our little ones. We wish them well as they join our pre-school team. Welcome!

Texas Roadhouse Rolls for Sale Support the preschool fundraiser of Texas Roadhouse Rolls.

Rolls come frozen with instructions for Baking.

1 Dozen Rolls — $5.00 Tub of Sweet Butter—$2.00

Orders are due by September 25th by 3 PM Pick up will be before Thanksgiving Call 724-423-4437 to place an order

Faith Formation News

K to 7 Faith Formation:

IMPORTANT – PARENTS OF FAITH FORMATION CHILDREN (K to Grade 7)

A Directive from our diocese is recommending that Faith Formation Programs (On-site/Virtual) begin in

October!

As a result of this directive, we are delaying the start of our Elementary Faith Program until October 5 from 6:00 – 7:15 pm Registration forms have been sent out along with new safety policies for the 2020-21. Parents are asked to return their registration forms in the church basket or return on the evening of October 5. We will be following all safety guidelines as implemented by our diocese and CDC. Details of our program will be explained as an attachment with the registration form(s). Par-ents with children who are not children of our catechists are asked to arrive at the Faith Formation Center no earlier than 5:55 so they will go directly to their classrooms. A reminder that children in Grade 1, preparing for First Confession/First Eucharist NEXT YEAR are to have 2 years of formation before the reception of the sacraments. Students in Grade 7 need to be present on a regular basis in preparation for the sacrament of Confirmation celebrated in Grade 8. Parents have the option of working with their child/ren at home. If so, please contact Dr. Dreliszak before the first day of class. Assignments will be sent on a weekly basis. A mid year assess-ment meeting will be held in January for those who prefer this option.

PARENTS ARE REMINDED TO RETURN THEIR SIGNED WAIVERS BY THE FIRST DAY OF CLASS. Please contact Dr. Dreliszak if you have any questions.

Adult Education Opportunities

Adult Faith Sharing: Adult Faith Sharing will continue on Sunday, September 20 after the 9:00 am Mass in the Social Hall. Face masks will be required along with social distancing.

CELEBRATION OF CONFIRMATION

Dates have been chosen for Confirmation. This celebration was canceled due to the pandemic. Confirmation will be celebrated on Wednesday, September 30 at 7:00 pm at St. Florian. Parents have received other dates concerning classes, practice times and interviews with Fr. John prior to each sacrament. Please note that since the 11:00 am Mass will resume in September, all sessions with our candidates will now begin after the 11:00 am Mass and not after the 11:30 Mass as previously announced.

Our candidates will meet with Fr. John on Sunday, September 27 after the 11:00 am Mass in Church for their “interview time” as well as for a brief practice. This session is for CANDIDATES ONLY. Sponsors will be informed of their role on the night of Confirmation. Please be in church by 6:45 pm

ALL CANDIDATES ARE TO BE PRESENT AS WE BEGIN OUR COUNT DOWN TO CONFIRMATION

FIRST CONFESSION

FIRST CONFESSION INFORMATION MEETING FOR PAR-ENTS WITH CHILDREN IN GRADE 2 AND WHO HAVE HAD ONE YEAR OF FAITH FORMATION PRIOR WAS TO BE HELD ON SEPTEMBER 21 HAS NOW BEEN CANCELLED AND WILL BE RE-SCHEDULED FOR OCTOBER. PARENTS WILL BE NOTIFIED IN THE NEAR FUTURE ABOUT THE EXACT MEETING TIME OF THIS GATHERING. MASKS AND SOCIAL DISTANCING MEASTURES WILL BE FOLLOWED. AT LEAST ONE PARENT OF EACH CHILD SHOULD BE PRESENT FOR THIS IMPORTANT SESSION LED BY FR. JOHN AND DR. DRELISZAK.

Book Club News: Our Book Club will resume on THURSDAY, OCTOBER 8 FOLLOWING THE 8:00 AM MASS TO choose our book for the fall season. Participants will gather in the Social Hall. Masks and Social Distancing procedures will be followed. Bring a book if you have one to be considered for our future discussions. It is our hope to resume weekly sessions by the end of October.

CATECHESIS, FAITH FORMATION AND EVANGELIZATION Week to Week: September 20 to September 27

Sunday— Catechetical Sunday—Blessing of Parents/Catechists

Adult Faith Sharing—After 9 AM Mass—Social Hall

Tuesday — Volunteers to gather to sort tickets for our Second

Festival Replacement Ticket—9 AM -Social Hall

Thursday — Dr. Dreliszak at Rectory 9:00 to 2:00

Sunday — Adult Faith Sharing– After 9 AM Mass — Social Hall

Confirmation Interview and Practice for Candidates

After 11 AM Mass in Church to 1 PM

WAYS TO GIVE

During this time of closures throughout the church, please consider keeping up your weekly contributions to

St. Florian. Sunday Masses have resumed but the obligation to attend is still commuted. If you are not attending Mass,

please consider these options for giving.

ONLINE GIVING: Our parish offers Online Giving, a web-based electronic contribution application. This service is safe and secure. And it is convenient for you and for our parish staff. Sign up for Online Giving by visiting our parish website at www.saintflorian.org and selecting the “Donate” link in the top right hand corner.

US MAIL: Contributions can be sent through the mail service to: St. Florian Church

PO Box 187 United, PA 15689

STOP BY THE PARISH OFFICE: Parish Office Hours are listed on page 1 of the bulletin. Feel free to drop by anytime with your offertory envelope. A locked mailbox is available outside of the Rectory Front Door.

Thank you to The Community Foundation of Fayette County, who have generously donated the extra face masks that we have present for those who need them at Mass.

Connectionsby Joe Lesko

The Twenty-Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time

The focus for this Sunday’s passages is a direct

quote from Isaiah’s passage in Verse 8. The Lord says, “my thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways my ways.” Matthew’s Gospel reports a parable from Jesus that elaborates or puts the quote in a context of the every day life of man. Jesus has been sent by the Father to complete the covenant He established through Moses for the Israelites His chosen people.

In his seeking a relationship with the Lord, man must come to realize that the nature of God is one of mercy and justice in His relationship with the Lord and that the Lord knows his needs for existence in his physical and his spiritual life. The Lord wants man to return to Him, and man has to decide his own path for entrance into the Lord’s kingdom. Th Lord provides a specific path in the covenant.

Isaiah is describing the glory of the Lord’s residence at Zion. They are returning to Jerusalem from exile in Babylon. They are free to seek their Lord, but comprehend that God’s ways are far beyond their understanding. The final verse of the passage lists a combi-nation of mysterious opposites. The Lord is transcendent, yet near enough to help him. He is helpless, yet the Lord requires him to act God-like to gain entrance into His Kingdom.

Matthew set up a parable from Jesus that sets a situation that illustrates the Lord’s ;ways of unexpected behavior that is contrary to man’s expectations of justice and mercy. The parable is beset with symbolism. Although the scene is set for laborers who need work to earn a day’s wages to feed their families, no wage was specified nor agreed upon. The exception is an amount that would feed the laborer as well as family. Laborers usually waited at a known area where a landowner could find laborers. He would go there several times during the day to hire men as he saw the need for the work to be done in his vineyard.

When the day ended he called his foreman to pay the workers The last hired were paid first in the amount the landowner believed was a just wage that fitted the workers’ needs. The first hired expected a larger sum because they worked longer than the last hired. The owner awarded all an equal sum. Those who worked longer grumbled and thought they were justified in their grievance.

The parable is meant to explain to the Jews that all are called to enter the Kingdom of God. The Jews were called first and the Gentiles are now being called; for all who were called to work in the vineyard will be treated with equal justice as deemed by the owner . The symbolism within the story reveals that the landowner is the Lord and the laborers are called to work toward entrance into the Lord’s Kingdom. Jesus is justifying that at end time “all” shall be treated with the Lord’s concept of justice not man’s. All are called. Isaiah’ declaration in his Old Testament passage becomes illustrated by Jesus in the New Testament . The Lord’s ways are not like man’s ways.

Prayer Chain

Those with prayer intentions are asked to contact the FAITH

FORMATION CENTER. Please call 724-423-5087 and your

request will be forwarded to those who have agreed to take part

in this special ministry. New members on our Parish Prayer

Chain are always welcome to join.

Janet Linda Erica Joyce Karen Kim Shay Janet Erica Joyce Karen Kim Shay Marty Bill Erin Rachel Maggy Peggy Kylee Maddy Joan Anna Ryan Lucy Magdalene Patty Albert Henry Betty Lou Anna Paul Karen Ed Chuck Marilyn Jacque Steve Bob Debbie Marvin Catherine Raymond Victims from 9/11 Disaster—19 years ago Those Suffering from the Corona Virus Health and well being of ALL throughout the world

May we continue to remember these individuals in our daily prayers!

CHILDREN’S LITURGY OF THE WORD

Please Note: Children’s Liturgy of the Word will be postponed for the immediate future and will resume when restrictions at

Mass are lifted

Page 5 September 20, 2020

SPONSOR OF THE WEEK LAZOR FURNITURE Please support our sponsors.

MASS ATTENDANCE topped 200 for our three “Sunday Masses” for the first time since they resumed in June. For September 5-6, the numbers were: 5:00 pm (61), 9:00 am (67), and 11:00 am (74) for a total of 203, and for September 12-13, they were: 5:00 pm (61), 9:00 am (93), and 11:00 am (49) for a total of 203. We are still within our safe capacity maximum of about 100 per Mass. TAKE-HOME MISSALETTES are now available on the window ledges in the back of church. Everyone is invited to take one or more for family use at home and or in church. If you intend to bring yours to church, please take it home with you after each Mass. Thank you. THANK YOU FOR YOUR VERY GENEROUS ON-GOING WEEKLY SUPPORT of St. Flor ian Par ish during the COVID-19 restrictions. May Our Lord continue to bless you and your families and our Parish Family as well! PLEASE REMEMBER ST. FLORIAN IN YOUR WILL. A bequest to our par ish endowment fund will be a gift that supports St. Florian’s in perpetuity. Please consider bequeathing 5% of your residual liquid assets to our parish or cemeteries. Thank you so much! THE ETERNAL WORD TELEVISION NETWORK (EWTN) provides high-quality, solid Catholic programming 24/7 for ongoing faith formation through Scripture study and Church teaching, inspirational stories, prayer, news and commentary, and much more. Be sure to check it out. (Channel 8 on Citizens Cable). A favorite of many is The Journey Home on Mondays at 8 pm. The host is a former Presbyterian minister who has guests from all backgrounds who in seeking the Truth have become Catholics with great conviction. HAVE YOU EVER TOLD SOMEONE: “You would make a good priest or sister”? Be aware that the Lord is ever

calling men and women to serve His Church in religious vocations. Those called may dismiss the stirring in their heart or

the quiet inner voice of Jesus reaching out to them unless we affirm its authenticity with our honest inquiry. That means

all of us should be “vocation-minded”.

Read Fr. John’s Homily at www.saintflorian.org under the “Parish Life” tab.

EUCHARISTIC ADORATION is a time when Our Lord invites the adorer to entrust himself or herself completely to His merciful love. This is what He told a Benedictine monk by way of lo-cution: “Trust me with all the events of your life. I will not abandon you. You are mine and I will not forsake you….Nothing will befall you that I do not permit. I will give you My grace to accept the changing circumstances of your life. It is I who am behind all that happens to you. Nothing escapes My wisdom….nothing escapes My omnipotence. Trust Me and be at peace….Do not be afraid. Tell me again and again that you trust in My merciful love for you.” (In Sinu Jesu p. 69) For Septem-ber 8-9, the following hours had only one adorer: 2 pm, 3 pm, 1 am, 2 am, 5 am, and 6 am. At least two adorers should be present for each hour. Thank you.

CHURCH IS OPEN 24/7 for silent adoration of Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament in the Tabernacle. Eve-

ryone is encouraged to stop in each daily if possible at a convenient time, and to sign our log-in time sheet so that

we can gauge participation in this. On Thursday, September 10th, prayer visits were logged for 15 of 24 hours – our

best day so far. Please help us toward perpetual adoration. These are unprecedented times that invite our full turn-

ing to the Lord. Thank you for your response.

Today is catechetical Sunday….a time the church

remembers the importance of passing on our faith to

others (from childern….to teens…to adults). Fr. John

will be blessing parents as the first and primary teachers

of the faith as well as others who serve in this teaching

ministry. May we pray for all those who are involved in

our faith formation program.